Odor exploration method and odor exploration system

An odor exploration method exploring odor based on odor information, the method comprising:

• for (1) a plurality of sensor elements each outputting a detection signal according to the state of adsorption by indicating an adsorption reaction unique to each odor substance, and
• (2) an arithmetic unit:
• a detection step detecting a first gas containing a plurality of odor substances with the plurality of sensor elements;
• a generation step generating, by the arithmetic unit, a first group of odor information values by quantifying each detection signal outputted from the plurality of sensor elements for the first gas;
• a preparation step preparing a second group of odor information values, the second group consisting of odor information generated by the arithmetic unit and based on of the plurality of sensor elements detecting a second gas different from the first gas;
• and
• a calculation step calculating a sum of, or a difference between, the second group and the first group based on a sum of, or difference between, the odor information generated for the first gas and for the second gas using the same sensor element.